To strengthen the efficiency of infrastructure investments, German development cooperation (GDC) financed a workshop held in 2022 by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Fiscal Affairs Department, AFRITAC West and AFRITAC Centre, entitled “Improving infrastructure investment quality in the context of COVID-19”. It brought together senior Public Financial Management (PFM) officials from various countries of the two AFRITACs and built capacity to improve Public Investment Management (PIM) in the COVID-19 context for better quality and resilient infrastructure investment.

A workshop on PIM had last been held for the same group of countries in 2019. Since then, a number of reform measures for PIM had been adopted, including integrated infrastructure planning and multiyear budgeting (Mali), issuance of guidelines for public investment preparation and selection (Benin, Burkina Faso), adoption of multiyear commitments appropriations for infrastructure projects (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal), and improved monitoring of project implementation including contract performance (Madagascar, Senegal).

From the workshop held in 2019, there remained a need to share knowledge and exchange practical experience in the region regarding PIM recommendations that had been implemented in the region, particularly in the areas of investment programming, multiyear commitment authorisations, project selection, project monitoring, PPP fiscal risks, and supporting information systems. The workshop held in 2022 touched on the importance of integrating climate considerations into infrastructure planning in order to build climate resilience, improve natural disaster responsiveness, and unlock access to climate finance.

The workshop held in 2022 has enabled development cooperation practitioners to leverage knowledge and practical experiences in the region relating to implemented PIM reforms.